System for detecting pressure differential between inlet and outlet of filter element

Abstract

A system for detecting a pressure differential between an inlet and an outlet of a filter element may include a housing configured to be associated with a filter element coupled to a filter base of a filter assembly. The system may further include a first sensor configured to provide signals indicative of pressure associated with at least one of an inlet port and an outlet port of the filter element. The system may further include a controller configured to receive the signals from the first sensor, and determine a pressure differential between the inlet port and the outlet port of the filter element based on the signals. The system may be configured such that a flow path of fluid flowing between the inlet port and the outlet port does not include flowing through a portion of the filter base.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for detecting a pressure differential between an inlet and an outlet of a filter element, the system comprising:
 a housing configured to be associated with a filter element coupled to a filter base of a filter assembly;   a first sensor configured to provide signals indicative of pressure associated with at least one of an inlet port and an outlet port of the filter element; and   a controller configured to receive the signals from the first sensor, and determine a pressure differential between the inlet port of the filter element and the outlet port of the filter element based on the signals,   wherein the system is configured such that a flow path of fluid flowing between the inlet port and the outlet port of the filter element does not include flowing through a portion of the filter base.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a second sensor configured to provide signals indicative of a pressure associated with the outlet port of the filter element, wherein the housing includes a first receptacle and a second receptacle, and wherein the first sensor is received in the first receptacle and the second sensor is received in the second receptacle. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first receptacle and the second receptacle are configured such that the first sensor and the second sensor are oriented in respective directions transverse to one another. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the housing includes an elongated member configured to be inserted into an end of the filter element and protrude past a surface of the filter base. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a communication connection associated with the housing remote from the first sensor, wherein the communication connection facilitates communication between the first sensor and the controller. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the communication connection includes at least one of a terminal for connection to an electric lead and a wireless connection. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further including at least one seal member configured to provide a fluid seal between the housing and the filter element. 
     
     
         8 . An assembly comprising a filter element and a system for detecting a pressure differential between an inlet port and an outlet port of the filter element, the assembly comprising:
 a filter element configured to be coupled to a filter base, the filter element including:
 a tubular member having a longitudinal axis and including an end portion at least partially defining an inlet port configured to provide flow communication into the tubular member, and at least partially defining an outlet port configured to provide flow communication from the tubular member, and 
 a filter medium associated with the tubular member; and 
   a system for detecting a pressure differential between the inlet port and the outlet port of the filter element, the system including:
 a housing associated with the filter element, 
 a first sensor configured to provide signals indicative of pressure associated with at least one of the inlet port and the outlet port of the filter element, and 
 a controller configured to receive the signals from the first sensor, and determine a pressure differential between the inlet port and the outlet port of the filter element based on the signals. 
   
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the tubular member of the filter element includes:
 a partition at least partially defining a first chamber and at least partially defining a second chamber, the partition extending longitudinally in the tubular member and being configured to prevent flow communication between the first chamber and the second chamber within the tubular member;   at least one outlet aperture in the tubular member configured to provide flow communication out of the first chamber; and   at least one inlet aperture in the tubular member configured to provide flow communication into the second chamber,   wherein the filter element is configured such that fluid passing through the filter element from the inlet port to the outlet port passes through both the first chamber and the second chamber.   
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the tubular member of the filter element includes a partition at least partially defining a first chamber and at least partially defining a second chamber, the partition extending longitudinally in the tubular member, and wherein the inlet port is configured to provide flow communication into the first chamber, and the outlet port is configured to provide flow communication from the second chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the partition is configured to prevent flow communication between the first chamber and the second chamber within the tubular member. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the tubular member of the filter element includes a recess at the end portion, and wherein a portion of the housing of the system for detecting a pressure differential between an inlet port and an outlet port is received in the recess of the end portion, such that the first sensor is associated with at least one of the inlet port and the outlet port. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , further including at least one seal member associated with the portion of the housing and the end portion of the tubular member, the at least one seal member being configured to provide a fluid seal between the housing and the filter element. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 12 , further including a second sensor configured to provide signals indicative of a pressure associated with the outlet port of the filter element, wherein the housing includes a first receptacle and a second receptacle, and wherein the first sensor is received in the first receptacle and the second sensor is received in the second receptacle. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the first receptacle and the second receptacle are configured such that the first sensor and the second sensor are oriented in respective directions transverse to one another. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 8 , further including a communication connection associated with the housing remote from the first sensor, wherein the communication connection facilitates communication between the first sensor and the controller. 
     
     
         17 . A filter assembly comprising:
 a filter base configured to be coupled to a machine;   a canister having an open end and a closed end and being configured to be coupled to the filter base;   a filter element configured to be received in the canister, the filter element including:
 a tubular member having a longitudinal axis and including an end portion at least partially defining an inlet port configured to provide flow communication into the tubular member, and at least partially defining an outlet port configured to provide flow communication from the tubular member, and 
 a filter medium associated with the tubular member; and 
   a system for detecting a pressure differential between the inlet port and the outlet port of the filter element, the system including:
 a housing associated with the filter element, 
 a first sensor configured to provide signals indicative of pressure associated with at least one of the inlet port and the outlet port of the filter element, and 
 a controller configured to receive the signals from the first sensor, and determine a pressure differential between the inlet port and the outlet port of the filter element based on the signals. 
   
     
     
         18 . The filter assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the tubular member of the filter element includes a recess at the end portion, and wherein a portion of the housing of the system for detecting a pressure differential between an inlet port and an outlet port is received in the recess of the end portion, such that the first sensor is associated with at least one of the inlet port and the outlet port. 
     
     
         19 . The filter assembly of  claim 17 , further including a base plug configured to be received in the filter base opposite the end portion of the filter element, wherein the base plug includes a base plug body configured to provide a seal between the base plug and the filter base, wherein the base plug body includes a passage, and the housing of the system for detecting a pressure differential between an inlet port and an outlet port is received in the passage of the base plug body. 
     
     
         20 . The filter assembly of  claim 19 , further including a seal member associated with the base plug body and the housing and configured to provide a fluid seal between the passage of the base plug body and the housing of the system for detecting a pressure differential between an inlet port and an outlet port.